Another El Clasico takes centre stages on Friday (April 8) but this time in Portugal’s Primeira, with eternal rivals Benfica and Porto locking horns in an expected thrilling affair. Then on Saturday, top four hopefuls and relegation candidates square off as Tottenham host Everton in a match that surely will have a say in the eventual outcome of Premier League race.

Event # 1 – POR – Benfica vs Porto – 12:00 pm

Benfica, by their own high standards, have endured a lean spell in recent years, missing the Portuguese Primeira title in each of the previous three seasons, but it seems inevitable that the Eagles, Benfica, will secure their first league title since the 2018/19 season.

Benfica have suffered just one loss in their last 26 league matches and boast a 10-point lead over opponents Porto who is second in the table. Not only have Benfica won their last 10 league games while keeping eight clean sheets in the process, they have also won 12 of their previous 13 matches in all competitions, while booking their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.

On the other hand, Porto will take confidence from the fact that Benfica have managed to win just one of the last 10 El Clasico showdowns against them in all competitions, as Benfica won 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in October on Porto’s home turf.

The Dragons, Porto, enjoyed a nine-match unbeaten run against Benfica between 2019 and 2022, securing seven derby wins along the way and will be aiming to rise to the occasion and secure bragging rights in another derby. Indeed, while Benfica have been tearing up the league, Porto themselves have been on fire too, having suffered just three defeats in their last 26 matches in the league so far this season and have lost just two of their previous 29 matches in all competitions, with 13 wins from their last 17 matches.

KEY STATS

Benfica – have won 10 straight matches in the league and have won nine of their last 10 home games, while scoring two or more goals in nine of their last 10 home matches.

Porto– are undefeated in their last 11 away matches in the league, including a recent win over the other Portuguese giant Sporting Lisbon.

Both sides – Porto have won six, drawn three and have lost just once on their last 10 visits to Benfica – with the last seven clashes between both teams having seen an average of 2.4 goals being scored, Porto leads the way with four wins to Benfica’s one, and the other two ending in draws.

The betting tip. Benfica win.

Event # 2 EPL – Tottenham vs Everton – 9:00 am

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to North London on Saturday afternoon. This after they conceded late to draw 1-1 with Everton on Monday. Indeed, Tottenham are in a dog-fight for the fourth and final European spot in the league and are currently sitting fourth in the Premier League table, level on points (50) with both third-placed Newcastle United and fifth-placed Manchester United.

Tottenham have only managed to win one of their last six matches in all competitions and looked poor in midweek at Everton, and if they are to maintain their top four push, they must secure a win against an in-form Brighton side.

Brighton are unbeaten in their last seven matches and two of their last four league games have ended in draws. Indeed, Brighton are one of the pleasant surprises in the league so far this season, they are only four points off the Champions League spots and have been in excellent form having gone unbeaten in their last seven games. They beat Bournemouth 2-0 on the road on Tuesday to extend their good form and that win has now seen the Seagulls, Brighton, securing their ninth win in their last 15 away games in the league so far this season.

KEY STATS

Tottenham – none of Tottenham’s last 24 home league games have been drawn (W17 L7), with Spurs winning the last four in a row. None of the last nine managers to take charge of a Premier League game for Tottenham have lost their first home match in charge (W7 D2), since Clive Allen lost 2-1 against Blackburn in October 2007.

Brighton – having lost five consecutive away league games against Spurs between 1982 and 2020, Brighton won this exact fixture 1-0 last season. Interestingly, Brighton have scored more goals on Saturday 3:00 pm games than any other Premier League side this season, netting 28 in their 14 such matches. Spurs average two goals conceded per game in this kick-off slot this season, shipping 16 goals in eight games.

Both sides – following a 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium earlier this season, Tottenham are looking for their second Premier League double over Brighton, doing so previously in 2018-19.

The betting tip.Brighton win.